If you've ever watched a professional ballet dancer on stage, you might feel that their superhuman feats are beyond ordinary people. In fact, ballet classes are available for people of all ages and levels of ability, and have a number of benefits. Here are some reasons why it might be time for you to sign up.
Physical fitness
The first benefit is that ballet is a great way to stay in shape. You might think that ballet consists of a series of slow and graceful movements, but in fact, a ballet training session can be as much of a workout as an hour in the gym. And as well as being a great aerobic exercise, ballet is an excellent way of building up muscle tone. Different moves will work on different sets of muscles — not just your arms and legs, but your abdominal muscles and the muscles that support your spine will all improve thanks to this training. Take a ballet class and you will be physically fitter and have a firmer body.
Mental health
The benefits aren't merely physical, however. Ballet classes can greatly improve your mental agility and health. Learning an increasingly complicated series of movements can be a great workout for your brain, helping keep you mentally active. The exercise is also a marvellous way to de-stress and release the endorphins that make you feel good. Any exercise can be a huge boost to your mental health, so the mental and physical activity of ballet can improve your mind as much as your body.
Social contact
As well as the benefits to your body and brain, ballet can improve your social life. Classes are a great way to meet new people with similar interests and worries, and can soon grow into a community or friendship circle. It will also give you an opportunity to practise your social skills — good communication is vital when learning moves and dancing with others, and as you grow in ability you will become more confident about accepting new challenges and performing in public. This will in turn feed back into your mental health and improve your overall well-being.
Ballet lessons, then, will have an immediate positive effect on your physical health, mental well-being and social interaction. Whether you are interested for yourself or your child, just get in touch with your local class today to start reaping the benefits of ballet.
Reach out to a studio such as Annette Langham School Of Ballet to find out more.